A review of the evidence indicates that the ancient ancestors of the Ryans were among Gauls who went to Ireland and became kings of Leinster or Laigin C400 A.D.
From there some spread Westward into aread such as Kilkenny, Tipperary and Limerick while other early relatives spread Eastward and Southward across Carlow, Wicklow and Wexford. Some have been in places like Clonmel on the River Suir since C1600.
The Ryans who remained in the areas covered by my first two Ryan books after the Cromwellian dispossessions of 1656 were generally the former landowners who had collectively held significant areas of the territory. Those who moved were usually not landholders but were farmers or landless peoplewho provided servieces of one kind or another. The exceptions were either those landholders who were dispossessed and listed for transplantation to areas in Connacht or those who defied the transplantation orders and sought refuge in other areas.
The movement of Ryans to all parts of Ireland over many centuries has been incredible. This seems to have been achievable through their capability for adventure and their very strong family bonds which provided help and support to those on the move. - Brian Patrick Kennedy
Brian Patrick Kennedy was born the 13th child in a family of 15 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, in 1940. He has a Master of Education degree from the Queensland University of Technology. He holds dual Australian and Irish citizenship. His passion for Irish history has taken him to Ireland on 30 occasions since 1993. He has written eight books on the history of the Irish Kennedys. After a number of requests from many members of the Ryan family he has now produced this third book on the Ryans.
